Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Indoor GardeningWe live in Florida and it's still considered "winter" in most northern states for what I can tell. I still see videos and pictures on the news of people in snow and ice. For people in "regular zones" around the world (Florida is a zone 9 and 10 = tropical), you typically have a spring and summer garden that might flow into early fall. Here in our zone, we have a fall and spring garden. We have to get things planted soon enough in January for spring so that when the heat of April really sets in (we're already in the 70s and low 80s in March), we don't loose our crops and things bolt or go to seed. Indoor gardening might be a good idea for Floridians to participate in over the summer months of April to about September.

If you're a northerner and you want to start gardening, but just can't wait until spring, these videos may be of help to you. I posted The Garden Girl's Indoor Garden series of videos 1-5 today to be of encouragement and to give you some great tips. I've actually thought of doing this myself in a small area of our living room next to a window. Hmm...what do you think my husband will say? {insert laughter here}

I've looked online at IKEA and found these shelves that might work as well as Lowe's hanging light fixtures and flourescent tube lighting. Remember that your lighting needs to have the same color balance as natural light. Patty suggests using a bulb that is 5,000 degrees Kelvin (which the above suggested link for "hanging light fixtures" has). She also suggests using a timer, but as long as you're home, you can just flip the switch. I could see if you're going on vacation, this might come in handy.

Anyway, I thought this series was fun and even if you can't get a set up going like she has, you can still use recyclable containers on your windowsills to start some seedlings. Have fun and happy gardening!

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Join us as our family is constantly being pruned by our Heavenly Father(John 15)to get rid of that which hinders us from growing closer to Him and replaces that pruning with spiritual fruit. We have six, amazing, little arrows, so far(Psalm 127:4)in which we were given "on loan" by God, privileged to raise, home educate(Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deut. 4:9-10)and make little disciples of (John 1; Mark 1, 3; John 15).We are a tight-knit family, passionate about adoption and foster care, and run a small, 5-acre farm in Florida called Vine Living Farm where we milk cows, raise chickens for meat and eggs as well as ducks, turkeys and rabbits, breed Bernese Mountain dog puppies, and grow fruit, herbs and veggies, stewarding God's creation for His glory(1 Corinthians 10:31). Join us on our adventure!

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Why We Homeschool (click image)

Avonlea Charlotte - 11

Avy is our oldest. She has a compassionate heart, loves cooking, baking, sewing, riding horses, caring for her rabbits, learning just about anything new, lovin' on babies and little ones and wants to be a mother someday. She truly loves the Lord and is such a thoughful person, always putting others above herself. She's my right-hand-lady!

LINCOLN COLE - 9

"Linc" is our second born and our most social child. He can hold a conversation with anyone, any age. He loves math, science and enjoys helping Daddy with projects around the farm. He's our Muscle Man and enjoys assembling things. I love listening to this boy pray!

NORAH CLAIRE - 7

Norah is my little firecracker! God is going to do amazing things with her. She has the passion of her mama {grin}. She loves to draw and paint, looks up to her big sister, loves anything pink, but can hold her own with her brothers.

ISAAC CALE - 5

Isaac is our fourth child and he loves to climb trees, swing from vines, "hunt" for squirrels with big brother, bird watch and is "all boy". His name means "laughter" and he lives up to that name for sure. He is a big snuggler!

Titus "Ty" Calvin - 4

Titus likes to keep our lives interesting! He loves bugs, reptiles and any animal, really. Our only blond child, he loves to dance and learn alongside his big brothers and sisters.

Our Homeschool "Style"

I would describe our homeschool style as "life learners", although some would label it "unschooling". We are constantly learning with each day and situations God gives us and when we are doing more formal learning, we are notebooking or following a natural approach of learning through Charlotte Mason methods. Our largest emphasis is on teaching from the Bible, training our children to love Jesus, modeling how to ABIDE in Him and become His disciples. The best part is that I get to learn alongside my children! I wouldn't trade it for the world, yes, even on the harder days.